Alabama’s public universities and community colleges are requesting substantial increases in state funding for fiscal year 2027, citing rising operational costs, deferred maintenance and investments in technology and student support.

Officials emphasized recurring priorities, including faculty and staff salaries, student affordability, dual enrollment expansion, and modernization of IT systems.

Dana Keith, senior vice chancellor for finance and administration at the University of Alabama System, said the three universities in the system collectively report a fall 2025 enrollment exceeding 71,500 students.

State appropriations account for 22 percent of projected revenues, while tuition represents 26 percent and grants and contracts make up two percent. The system’s total proposed increas

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